.»two colonies might be more equal Dr. EMBLING, who called tho meeting, thought there should be a great trunk line, and three branch lines-one to Tlctorla, one to New South Wales, and one to Queensland, and that the whole should be formed by South Australia and the other three colonies ? conjointly, each contributing rateably

towards the cost, which he estimated . at £13,000,000 to £14,000,000 sterling. Others saw great difficulties In the way of this, Inasmuch as South Australia hopes to get the trunk line constructed without contributing a shilling towards the expense ; and thus, therefore, thought it better to leave South Aus- tralia in that respect to follow her own -course. That would, then, leave each

of the colonies desirous of availing Itself of the advantages of the trunk line, to form a branch line at Its own expense, in whatever way it chose. As regards Victoria, the general opinion rwas that her branch line should < stretch from Echuca, the most northerly .point of our present railway system, to Beltana, the next highest station from Port Augusta on the Central Australian ' Telegraph line, That was suggested by Dr. EMBLING, and unanimously agreed

. to.

But in the event of anything of the >kind being attempted, two or three other things would have to be con- sidered. First, the cost of the branch line. It would be 300 miles in length, and its cost at £5,000 per mile not less 'than£1,500,000. This,moreover,would all have to be paid In hard cash, inasmuch as we should have no land to glvo for it. Next, the permission of the .other colonies. We could not run a 'branch line through the territory of New South Wales or South Aus- tralia without leave first asked and obtained. But South Australia would >,hardly object j and if New South Wales did, the territory of the latter could ?«easily be avoided by striking into the 'Trans Australian Une at Port Augusta flnstead of Beltana. And then, the ^provisions for the use of the line and «the terms on which they should be ..granted. These should all be Inserted In the South Australian bill, and will >be fit subjects for discussion with -Sir HENEY AYEES and Mr. BARROW, when on their way to the Intercolonial < Conference, if anything more is done in

the matter. . We have sketched the ? scheme propounded by Dr. EMBLING and his friends, and now leave It to the «consideration of our readers.

Dar London telegram, received at an early hour this morning, contains several items of colonial interest. Twelve officers and 100 pieu of the Royal navy are on the poiut of sailing for Sydney, to be employed in the sup« .pression, of the Polynesian slave traffic, for wliioh service several small schooners have «ecently been built to the Imperial order in Sydney. The exporta to both Melbourne and Sydney are largely increasing. The Atrato. 'having completed the necessary repairs to her .machinery, will shortly make a third effort >to roach her appointed destination. In Paris vtkeie has as yet been no fresh outcome of the difficulty, but M. Thiers threatens to appeal against the report of the committee, if it is (found lo be opposed to him. Major Palliser, <who bos been knighted, is the invontor of the , celebrated chilled shot.

. Amongst other items of intelligence in our 'London telegram this morling is the an- nouncement of tbfl death of Viscountess Beaconsfield, wife of the Right Hon. Ben- jamin Disraeli. It will be remembered that when Premier of England Mr. Disraeli declined the honour of being raised to the peerage, but, on behalf of his wife, accepted ribo distinction which was conferred, upog /her, In the Peerage, the late viscountess is 'thus referred to:-"Beaconsfield, Viscountess ((United Kingdom), ureated 1868.-Mary Anne disraeli, only daughter of the late John Evans, Esq.., of Branceford Park, Devon. ¡Married, first, Wyndham Lewis, Esq., M.P., ?of Pantgwnlais Castle, Glamorganshire ; 'secondly, 1839, the Right Hon. Benjamin 'Disraeli, in acknowledgement of whose offi- cial services this visconnty was conferred in

1808."

At a meeting of the Executive Council held yesterday, Mr. Fellows was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court, and Mr. Bunny a deputy County Court judge to act during the absence on leave of Judge Forbes. Leave of absence was given to Mr. Justice Fellows to .enable him to visit Kew Zealand before

entering upon his judicial duties,

Tho reason which led to the appointment . of a fifth judge of the Supremo Court-the

supposed repeal by implication of the 15 Vic. INo. IO, sec. 5-will probably prevent the ap- pointment of an "acting" chief justice. The only authority for making such an appointment is the enactment referred to, and although the appointment of one judge to take the place of another is constitutionally unobjectionable' 'it is open to the same legal difficulty as the 'temporary appointment of a practising bar- rister. An " aotiug" chief justice is a remnant of IDowning-street rule when judges were re

mnvuhlia of nlootn» oy,A Mia T «"¡"t.,(...-"

movable at pleasure, and the Legislature SSems. to bave thought so when it passed the .28 Vic, No. 274, seo. 83, providing for the absence " beyond seas," or a vacancy in the . office, of the chief justice.

'It -?ill be remembered that the Chief Secretary stated in his election speech ia June last that on taking office he found that a number of Crown grants were about to bo issued to various individuals in violation of the law, tho 6s. an acre penalty incurred for non compliance with the conditions of the /Land Act not having been paid, A number -of these penalties-5s. per acre for 6,000 acres -have just been paid to secure the Crown . grants, and the Treasury has gained £1,250 which would have been lost had the Duffy Administration continued in office a few «weeks longer,

think the circumstances are so urgent as to necessitate my accepting it. It is not do tsirablo, if it can be avoided, to havo ships cruising among tho Pacific Islands 'before the hurricane season is over, by which time I shall have ample means at my disposal for suppressing kidnapping aud illegal prac -tices against the natives of the islands. I ¿ball, with much pleasure, bring before tho Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the liberal offer now made by the Victorian Siovemment I have the honour to be, my ord, your lordship's obedient servant, (signed) J. H. STIB-INQ, commodore, com manding-in-cbief."

, ,We learn that an application has been ' made,to the Chief Secretary requesting him

to suspend tho railway workd now in progress until after the harvest in order that more labour may be available for the farmers. A gc&tleman who has lately visited the Beech

worth district states that the crops are most abundant, and that there is great difficulty in obtaining sufficient labour to gather them in, although 10s. per day is offered with meat and drink. Of course, it would be impossible to stop the railway works without putting the contractors to serious inconvenience and incurring sorioas liabilities. If, however, the colonel-com- mandant sees no difficulty in the way, and labour is so scarce, it is not improbable that the Treasurer may consent to grant leave of absence for two or three months to such members of the paid artillery force as would like to increase their earnings and are not absolutely wanted for duty.

In accordance with a request made by a number of gentlemen, a preliminary meeting has been called by the town-clerk for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken to show respect to His Excellency the Governor prior to his departure from the colony. The meeting will take placo in the mayor's room to day, at half-past 2 o'clock,

Mr, Justice Fellows, in an address to the electors of St. Kilda, which is publishod this morning in our advertising columns, takes leave of his former constituents. In doing so he says :-" In severing the connexion which has so long and so harmoniously existed between us, I may, perhaps, be allowed to oxprcss a hope that the nniversal kindness which I have fortunately met with at the outset of my new career may induce people to look favourably on the efforts which I shall make to serve them, whether rich or poor, 1 without fear, favour, or affection.'"

The arrangements which have been made for the Christmas aud New Year excursion trains are announced in our advertising columns. Return tickets will ba issued on 24tb, 25th, and 26th. December and 1st January at holiday excursion fares, and will be available for one week.

By this mail Sefior Antonio de la Camara, who has for many years been the Australian correspondent of'the various learned societies in Madrid, received his decoration as Cavalier of the Royal Order of Isabel the Catholic, which has been conferred upon him in recognition of his services. As a work of art,

the star with its accompanying wreath of j

laurel is a beautiful production, On one side are the pillars of Hercules, with the two worlds and the motto "Plus ultra," and encircling it are the words " La Lealtad Acrisolada," or puriflod loyalty. On the obvorse are the initials of the order on *a purple ground, with the motto "Por Isabel

La Oatolica,"

A deputation from the principal insurance companies waited upon the Chief Secretary yesterday to ask for Government assistance on behalf of the fire brigades supported by them, and for legislation on the subject. Mr. Francis promised if the deputation put their views in writing that they should be carefully

considered.

Tho Minister of Lands yesterday heard the complaint of the contractors for the third section of the North-Eastern Railway, who had been interfered with in their efforts to get gravel as ballast for the line by the Indigo Road Board. AU the contractors ten- dered for the work in the belief that they

WOUld be allowed to tnlto Brnvol frnm tho

would be allowed to take gravel from the reserved area, but the board wished to enforce conditions. Mr. Watson, resident engineer of the line, protested against any attempt to hinder the contractors from get- ting supplies of gravel. Mr. Casey said he would call upon the road board to show cause within a week why the reserve should not be taken away from them.

The grievances of blacksmiths and other men employed on iron work in the railway workshops were inquired into yesterday by the Commissioner of Railways, who had two hours and a quarter's interview with a deputation from the men. They complained that labourers had been employed to do artisans.' work, to the detriment of the Government as employers, and a direct infringement of trade usages. But investi- gation showed that the grievances had a very paltry foundation. Two men, whom they regarded as* labourers from the want of skill they thought they displayed, satisfied the Commissioner that they had served their time to the business. Mr. Gillies declined to discuss the question whether the men rwere good or bad workmen, The superintendent had to decide that, not the

workmen. All he should Ü9ten to was evidence on the question whether they were to be regarded as artisans or labourers. In the other cases, mon had been called upon to do work a little above them, and failed. They had either given themselves out to be skilled till they were tried and found ineffi- cient, or been put to work which was not strictly speaking an artisan's work. But in every one of these cases the so called labourers had been put back to their former employment. The superintendent assured the deputation that neither he nor the foremen had any idea of placing labourers at artisans' work, because he knew that it would not answer the Government to do it. They desired to bo served by the best men. Mr. Gillies then dismissed them with the hope that harmony would be restored, and that they would never have worse things to complain of. He disabused their minds of the impression that they would bo discharged from the shops because they bad ventured to complain,

The prize presented by the proprietors of The Argus to Wesley College has been gained by Johnston, after a very severe contest with Alexander, who was second for the prize last year also. The examination comprised all

1 year also. The examination comprised all ' tbo subjects of the matriculation examina-

tion, Greek and Latin exoepted.

The Intercolonial Cricket practice was but

j spaisely attended yesterday afternoon, owing

probably to the threatening appearance of the weather ; Wills, the captain, too was absent, aud will not bo in town again until Friday. Of those present, Campbell, Williams, and Gaggin shaped best with the bat, and Cosstick was as straight as ever with the ball. Next practico day is fixed for Friday, and if our men do not attend more assiduously we shall 'plump most unreservedly for the combined

I team, of whom the Sydney contingent I aro reported to be in splendid batting 'foin). The Victorian eleven will be chosen, 1 we understand, immediately after practice on Friday, and judging from performances this season, there is sure to be a sprinkling of new hands in the team. A telegram received from Sydney yesterday stated that Messrs. E. 'Gregory, Bannerman, and Thompson, with IMr, Teeco (the umpire) had sailed in the Macedon, -which left on Tuesday, and they may therefore bo oxpected some time this i evening, Messrs. Coates, D. Gregory, and newitt (who has been chosen sixth man in I place of Sheridan) will leave to-morrow by i the You Yangs. A very general feeling

seems to have been expressed in Sydney in favour of Sheridan playing in the

match, as several telegrams were received I in town yesterday urging the desirability of his being chosen, but as the match committee (Messrs. Coates and Gregory) had decided in favour of Hewitt, the matter could not be altered. The six Sydney men must be pretty strong if they aro all better than Sheridan, who has invariably proved himself an excel- lent player in past intercolonial matches. Mr. Sheehy telegraphs from Hobart Town that two of the Tasmanian players-Messrs. Davies and Hogg-left on Tuesday in the Tamar, and that Mr. Barnes leaves to-day, and Mr. Arthur on Monday, The Sydney and Tasmanian players will all stop at Webb's Duke of Rothsay Hotel. A paragraph which appeared in the Sydney press telegrams of yesterday, to the effect that the New South Wales Cricket Association "had decided not to recognise this match," caused considerable amusement in cricketing circles here. As the association was never consulted in any way whatever, their action in rather premature. As Victorians pay pretty hand'

8omely for the privilege of playing this match, it seems strange they should not please themselves in a matter of this sort without the interference of such a body as the New South Wales Association, and that their action does not meet with the con- currence of the pi ay ora of New South Wales is obvious from the fact that the six best cricketers are coming down, and more are only too anxious to take part in the game. Very different is the tone of the Tasmanian and Sonth Australian Associations, both of whom desire that the match "will be a brilliant success." Instead of opposing the match real cricketers should he glad to assist in every way in consummating an ovent which has never before been attempted, viz., the gathering at one time of the best players in the different Australasian colonies, and which we trust will bo attended by good , fellowship and kindly feelings to all concerned.

The committee of the M.C.C. havo docided to give a handsome silver cup to the maker of the highest score in the match, and it is contemplated to get up a subscription cap for the best bowler-an individual who has been, as a rule, overlooked in the matter of trophies in past intercolonial matches.

In the Supreme Court yesterday an appeal was heard against the decision of Mr. Justice Molesworth, refusing to sequestrate the pri- vate estate of Adolphe Oppenheimer, the Paris partner of that now well-known firm of A. Oppenheimer and Co. The Courtresorved judgment.

At the Criminal Sessions yesterday, a farmer named Michael Breen, living at Romsey, was charged with committing perjury in a case in which he summoned a neighbour for threaten- ing his life, but was acquitted. A young man named Proctor was sentenced to two years' hard labour for garotting and robbing a man named Lewis in a right-of-way off Little Bourke-street. He was convicted chiefly on his own confession. When he was in gaol for vagrancy he heard that a man named Moran was accused of the robbery, and he at once confessed that he was the guilty person. Although cautioned, he apparently was not aware of the extent to which he was com- mitting himself. In passing sentenco Mr. Jus- tice Molesworth remarked that Proctor'« con- fession to some extent extenuated his offence, and induced him to pass a light sentence. Two men named Muley and Cummerford were charged with breaking into a house of ill repute in Stephen street, kept by Mrs. Fraser, and stealing articles of jewellery and apparel of the value of £15. After de- liberating for upwards of five hours, the jury acquitted the prisoners. A young man named Edward Francis, who was accused of stealing three horses, the property of Mr.

H. J. Johnstone, photographer, of Bourke street, was also acquitted. Owing to the criminal calendar being so heavy this month the Chief Justice will assist Mr. Justice Molesworth in disposing of the remaining cases, but even with this help it is anticipated that the sittings will last during the greator part of next week. It is understood that the trial of Henry C. Mount and William C. Morris, who are charged with being implicated in the Carl murders, will come on before the Chief Justice to-day, in the New Court. It is probable that an application will be made to postpone the case until the February sittings, on the ground that evidence is to be.adduced which tho prisoners have not been supplied with, and that popular feeling runs so high that their chance of a fair trial would be prejudiced. The Crown will oppose the application, The counsel engaged in the case will be-for the Crown, Mr. B. O'Loghlen, Mr. T. Adamson, and Mr. W, S, Garnett; for the prisoner Mount, Mr. Ireland, Q.C. ; and for Morris,

Mr. Molesworth.

A correspondent informs us that he visited the rush near Foster the other day, and found that there were only eight or nine claims getting gold. Most of the miners were getting nothing. As we have already pointed out, the extent of the new workings has been much exaggerated, and all the auriferous ground has been taken up; but we have reason to believe that in very few of the claims are the miners getting "nothing."

The committee appointed to arrange the complimentary breakfast to be given on ! Friday morning to Mr. Councillor M'Pherson

are doing their best to make the demonstra- tion a success. The breakfast will be held in the supper-room of the Town-hall, and ¡ will be supplied by Mr. Hughes, of Collins

street.

' A telegram has been received in Melbourne ¡stating that the Sydney Government has

remitted the fine of £20 imposed on Captain I Dorwood, of the steamer Waradgery, by the i Corowa Bench, for having two cases of goods i on board that were not on the boat's manifest, ¡ and has also ordered the goods which were

then seized to be given up to the owner.

| The speech-day of the Church of England ¡Grammar School yesterday, was, as is i customary, very largely attended. His Ex-

cellency the Governor gave away the prizes, 'and at the same time bade the pupils an i affectionate good-bye.

i The only novelty in connoxion with the

The only novelty in connoxion with the Exhibition yesterday was this, that the number of visitors was no more than 966, of whom 167 were school children, and 155 season-ticket holders. In the woy of new exhibits we have nothing to notice, but wo may state that the business of packing for the London and Vienna Exhibitions is active just now. The usual organ music and selec- tions by the band of tho Emerald hill Volunteer Artillery Corps were givon respec tively in the morning and evening. To-day the programme includes the performance of the Exhibition orchestra in the afternoon, and ¡a vocal concert both afternoon and evening, in which Madame Carandini, Miss Ida iHowson, Mr. M. Winter, and Mr, S. Lambie will take part. In addition to a number of solos to be sung by these ladies and gentle men, we notice Cooke's duet, "The Army

land Navy," by Messrs. Winter and Lambie,

and John Burnett's trio, "This Magic-wove Scarf," hy the two gentlemen just named and Madame Carandini. The complete programme appears in our advertising columns. Mr. MDj turn will play the organ in tho morning, and Mr. John Hill in the evening.

There was a large attendance at the Mag- dalen Asylum Bazaar in the Town-hall yesterday, and the fancy goods appeared to go off briskly. A Punch and Judy show, which was in ibe hall, was a decided success, being frequently thronged. The number of half crown radies which were started was almost aa large as the number of half-crown sweop stakes got up on "the hill" on the Cup day. Throughout tho day the hall prosented a pkasing and animated scene, aud the visitors appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. During the evening Mr. Hill played a few airs on the organ, as did also Mr. Jenkins, organist at St. Patrick's Church, Ballarat. It is announced that Mrs. Cutter, Mrs. Smythe, and Mr. Donaldson will sing to night at the bazaar.

We learn that Signor Giorza has succeeded i the late Mr. Towers as organist of St.

Francis's.

A correspondent, referring to the story about the Madagascar, ro published in The Aigus of yesterday from a Sydney paper, writes :-" Being a passenger by the Mada- gascar on her first and only trip from London to Port Phillip, allow me to correct an error in your Sydney contemporary's report. The Madagascar was not a steamer, but a sailing ship of about 1,000 tons. She had been trading previously to India. She had just been overhauled, and registered anow for seven years Al at Lloyd's,"

An explosion of gas occurred yesterday at Mr. John Cleeland's Albion Hotel, Bourke street. During the lost few days some alterations have been going on in the large diningroom, and a very strong smell of gas was noticed in the place, which the gosfitter bad tried to trace unsuccessfully, Shortly

before C o'clock last evening Mr. Cleeland and the bookkeeper, with a view of finding where the gas escaped, took a'lighted candle and traced the pipes along until they reached a clock hanging against tho wall. When they put the candle beside the clock an explosion 'occurred, displacing three separate portions of

the ceiling, setting fire to, the ceiling, and doing some other slight damage. Several persons who were in the room at the time rendered assistance, and Ihp fire was quickly extinguished with a few buckets of water. On the place being examined otter the explosion, it was found that a large nail had been driven through the pipe, and 'that ¿he gas had escaped through the hole. ;

Yesterday afternoon a child had a narrow escapo from death. At the intersection of Queen and Little Bourke streets a child about three years old got between the legs of the horses drawing a oatt of the Victoria Brick making Company, Brunswick, - and was knocked down by the axle of the cart, but fortunately without being hart

During yesterday a man was going about Queen-street with a pistol, and followod a girl into an hotel. The publican interfered between them, and the man threatened to shoot him. The polico were sent for, but before they arrived the man with the pistol baa decamped. It was said that the maa had brought the girl from the old country, and that there had been sorao dispute. Probably the police will investigate the matter.

At an inquest held by (Dr. Youl on the body of the man Charles Ferres, mentioned yesterday as having hanged himself in his room in Latrobe-street on Monday, the jury found that deceased committed suicide while of unsound mind.

William Mortimer, aged -M, was admitted to the Melbourne Hospital late on Tuesday night, having received an injury to the head by a fall from a shed while ho was drunk. Yes- terday, François Jauuné, seaman bolonging to the Pactole, was admitted, having had his leg fractured.

Matthew King, the young man charged with embezzling £103 5s, Gd, the proporty of the Cardigan Consols tribute party, Sago-hill, beyond Ballarat, was, at the City Court yes- terday, remanded to appear at the Ballarat West court on Tuesday; bail 'allowed in one surety in £100. King was keeping a store ia Carlton, with another name oVer the door, and was recognised by Sergeant Brown, of Prahran, by his likeness to a.brothor of his whom the sergeant knew. «The alleged offence was committed in 1871y^nd the war-

rant had been outsome time. ' -

A week or two ago a woman named Anne

a. vTLciv ui tiru ugu u wumiui Jiumuu uuuu

Middleton, who had behaved ¡very violently while drank, smashing windows and making a disturbance, was sent to prison for three months by the City Bench. ^Hfer little boy was taken charge of by a benevolent old lady -an officekeeper-who yesterday asked the Bench to take him off her hands, as the gentleman at whose place she 'was employed objected to children. Mr. Lloyd, the court keeper, kindly agreed to take caro of the boy pending inquiries as to his .other relatives. He said his name was William Hunter, and that he bad an uncle somewhere,]

Mr. Charles Symonds, of Vaucluse, Rich-

mond, sued Mr. George Cole of Hawthorn,

in the County Court yesterday for £49 damages, for having poisoned, two valuable dogs belonging to plaintiff. Mr. Symonds had previously sued Mr, Cole, nursery man,

the father of the present defendant, for killing the dogs, but it was then ascertained that the paddock in which the poison was laid was in the occupation of the younger Cole, and a nonsuit was entered up.

Mr. George Cole was then sued for

damages, and the case came on for hear- ing yesterday before a jury of four. It appeared that the dogs had gone away by

themselves from Vaucluse to the residence of plaintiff's brother-in-law, Mr. Moody, at Hawthorn, where they had been on occasions previously. The defendant admitted having placed some poison in the entrails of a lamb which had been killed in his paddock by dogs, with the view of killing any dogs that might come to eat the lamb, and stated that he did so in consequence of dogs destroying his lambs ; but he said he laid the poison on the 8th August, and the two dogs were not poisoned until the 15th August. No one had

seen the dogs in the paddock eating the lamb,

and it appeared that one of the dogs. had been chained up at Mr. Moody's, when two others which bad been poisoned came back to the house, where they became sick, and the chaine. dog ate up some of the poisoned

matter which they vomited, in consequence

of which he died, though one of the other two recovered, In order to show

other two recovered, In order to show

that the dogs might have been poisoned otherwise than in defendant's paddock, Mrs. Tankard, a neighbour of plaintiff and de fendant, was called, and stated that early in August she laid poison down on her ground to kill dogs ; and to lessen damages,

if the jury found against defendant, Mr. Frank Gavan Duffy, who knew the dogs, gave evidence that only one of them was valuable, the other being unbroken. He estimated the good dog as being worth £10. His Honour Judge Pohlman pointed out to the jury that the defendant was liable for damages if they believed the dogs were poisoned by eating of the lamb ; but it was necessary they should consider the dogs had

eaten of it before they returned a verdict against him. The jury, after a few minutes'

deliberation, returned a verdict for de- fendant.

A meeting of the committee of the Mel- bourne Anglers' Protective Society was held 'on Tuesday, at the office of the Zoological and (Acclimatisation Society, Mr. A. Brady in 'the chair. Tho business was chiefly of a

¡routine nature. Moasures for the more 'efliciont protection of the Saltwater River iwero discussed, and the meeting was ad- journed until next week for inquiries to bo ¡made. Mr. William Cuningham was elected a new member of tho society, and the meeting separated.

I A meeting of masons was held last night, at the Trades hall, in reference to the allega- tions that the Public Works department had ¡very much over-estimated the quantity of freestone required to erect Government-house, if it had been built of freestone and brick, and so had prevented its being built with a free

¡8tono facing. Tho meeting appoarod to bo

satisfied with the action taken by tho Govern- ment in appointing a commission to inquire into the working of the department, and it was confidently stated that it would be found by the commission that the remarks which ¡the masons had made in reforence to the 'department were correct.

? The Talbot Races, which commence today,

¡excited but very little attention yesterday.

¡The groator portion of the bookmakers have ileft Melbourne, and so little interest was taken in the meeting after the withdrawal of ¡The Ace, that scarcely a bet was booked. It appears that The Ace was withdrawn on ¡Tuesday afternoon, but as it was not posted ¡at tbe subscription-room, where it is under- stood all scratchings are to bo posted, the fact

' A child three years old, named John Muir, living at Prahran, was taken to the Alfred Hospital on Tuesday, to be treated for a rather serious cut in his throat. He had 'accidentally received the injury while playing

¡with another child and a leaden spoon. He

is quito out of danger. Henry. Dowell, car- penter, of the same borough, was. treated for [a. cut in his arm, caused by a fall through a ?skylight while workingat the Blind Asylum.

' Wm. Lyon, a young man, waa accused on remand at the City Court yesterday of larceny ¡as a bailee of mining.scrip, belonging to 'Susan Sydenham, a young woman keeping a

jstorn in Collingwood. The latter gave evidence ,'to the effect that she entrusted the scrip to the ¡prisoner about a month or six weeks ago to 'raiso money. Ho made her various state 'monts, but never returned heroither the scrip ¡or the money. Mr. Sturt, P.M., said it was ! a most gross caso of imposing upon a woman

j who was supporting herself. At the request j of the police, tho prisoner was remanded till

; Tuesday. Bail refused.

j A petty thief, named Henry M'Car thy, who

i has for some time past infested the borough

¡of Emerald-hill, met his deserts in the local

polico court yesterday. The prisoner had lately rented a small piece of land on the j Sandridge^ road from Dr. Haig, upon which 'he purposed erecting a shop, and to do so . without any largo expenditure of money he

stole all the materials he required. From one place he purloined glazed window-sashes, I from another doors, timber from another, I and carpenters' tools from another. AU the

1 r-nqnn npnlnnf. fliA nriqnnAr WATA nrnvArl a

cases against the prisoner were proved, and the Bench gave bim sentences amounting in all to 12 months' imprisonment, with hard labour. The prisoner is believed by the police to be the perpetrator of a large number of potty thefts that have of late taken place

on Emerald-hill.

The two prisoners who attempted to abscond from the Pentridge Ötockade last week were biougbt up for trial yesterday before Mr. ¡Sturt and Mr. Call. They exhibited none of

that spirit of bravado which has often boen the case with prisoners under similar circum- stances. After the witnesses had been ex- amined, tho delinquents were asked if they had any questions to ask or statement to make. Little was said by either of them, but what they did say could hot be taken in extenuation of the offence! with which they were charged. They were both sentenced to nine months' additional imprisonment in

nous.

A meeting of the committee of the Albert park Yacht Club was held on Tuesday eveuing at th? Clarendon Hotel, Emerald-hill, Mr. RobetP Heard in tho chair, when it was resoííeí "flat a yacht race should take place on Saturday, 23th inst., to be sailed in heats. Entries will be received ou Tuesday, 24th inst, at 8 p.m.

; The Geelong Racecourse improvement committee have accepted the tender of Messrs.

¡Trevena and Gubby for the erection of the

new grand stand, which is to be completed prior to the date of the annual race meet

prior to the date of the annual race meet- ing.

| At tbo Geelong Police Court on Wednesday,

Mr. James Riley, the district inspector of sheep, summoned George Cathbert for driving sheep ovor certain lands without giving notice to the owner in compliance

¡with the act, The sheep wore clean, but

the circumstance being reported to him lie had to prosecute. For the defence it was submitted that the defendant had 1,100 sheep travelling to Geelong, and that when passing the Little River he gave the usual notice to the owners of the land in the Îocality and obtained their 'assent, but had

tot done so in this instance, being misled by Mr. Armytage's boundary rider, who directed him to take the nearest'route without inform-

ing him that he had to pass ovor Mr. Edgar's property. A fine of 20s. was inflicted, with 20s, costs.

! A large quantity of load was Stripped off |he roof of the canteen keeper's quarters at

tho Victoria Barracks, St. Kilda road, on the night of the 10th inst., and next day a con atable arrested a one eyed man named Denis Clifford, who was wheeling the lead in a barrow. Ho said he had got it from a man, but could not find the individual. It was stated at the City Court yesterday that Clif- ford had been several times in gaol already, and he was sent to prison for six months.

George G. Davis, grocer, M'Killop streot, off Bourke street west, was summoned to tho District Police Court yesterday, by Mr. Evans, corporation inspector, for neglecting to keep his common lodging-house clean. Evidence was given that tho place was in a very filthy state, and that a woman said to bo the housekeeper was in the habit of telling fortunes £b girls, and informing them that she had powders which would induce dreams as to future husbands. Mr Call, P.M., ordered the man to clear out of tho place by the 31st inst., or ho would bo fined 40s. and 20s. costs, or a month's im- prisonment. The defendant said he had taken tho houso for a term at 10s. a week from Messrs. Jennings and Coote, and that four months of tho term had still to run.

I This evening Mr. Hasolmayer will make his leappeaTanco beforo a Melbourne audience in the character of a magician, at tho Tempor- áneo hall, Russell street. An entirely now serios of conjuring tricks will be performed, and, for the first time in Melbourne, Mr. Haselmayer will exhibit' his skill as a pianist.

The comedy of " Society" still maintains its place on the stago of the Theatre Royal, and with the attraction of the Rickards troupe is sufficient to draw good houses.

I The Prince of Wales Theatre was fairly attended last night, when the drama "Time and the Hour" was repeated and very favourably received, the oxcellont acting of Mrs. Phillips and Messrs. M'Gowan and Poole meeting with especial marks of approbation from the audience. The afterpiece was "Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady," in which Miss Juno appeared.

' An amateur performance in aid of tho Princess's company was given last night in that theatre by the members of the Mont- gomery Club. The performances commenced with tho " Golden Farmer," which was feebly performed to almost empty benches. Tho afterpiece was the Irish drama "Handy Andy."

1 The fifth'annual distribution of prizes of tho South Yarra College takes place to-day, at half past 3 o'clock, in the college hall. Darling-street, The Rev. A. Robertson will preside.

i The monthly meeting of tho New Third Victoria Building Society was held last even- ing, at their offices, 3 Elizabeth-street. Mr. G. W. Rusden, who was in tho chair, announcod tbo month's receipts to be £2,100. Seventeen and a half shares wero sold at premiums of £1 per share

An entertainment in aid of an old residont of Collingwood, recently, disablod by an accident, takes place this evening in the Foresters' Hall, Smith-street, Collingwood. The rooyor of East Collingwood will preside, and Mrs. M'Naughton, Miss Castella, tho Rov. W. F. Main, Rev. J. O'Malloy, S J., Messrs. J. Edwards, j un., Fishor (barristor), J. W. Randall, and others will take part.

The annual speech-day ot the Brighton College was held in tho Brighton Orderly room on Tuesday evening last. The parents of the pupils and a large gathering of the inhabitants filled the seated part of tho largo halL The recitations were excellently given, and seemed to be highly appreciated. Prizes were awarded to the most successful boys, .who roceived them from the bands of Mr. Rusden, who presided on the occasion.